I think of Dee often.  She was a good friend.  I met her in junior high school at Kenmore in Arlington VA.  May she rest in peace.  
Sandra Dawson

I think about you every day.  Rest in peace my friend.

I am so sorry to learn of Dee’s passing. My heart goes out to all who loved her.

I just discovered this obituary for Dee.  I met Dee when we were students in junior high school almost 60 years ago and were avid Beatle fans.  Dee, Ann, Joan, Judy, and me.  We went to many a Beatle concert and many a Beatle's movie.  We kept in touch over the years.  A wonderful person and a great friend.  I would love to speak with her sister.   Rest in peace Dee.

Dear family and friends of Dee Avery,
Dee’s joyful sharing of stories, music, and kindness will forever be in my heart.  I was lucky enough to have Dee in my life from when I was about age ten onwards.  Her creativity, willingness to share life lessons, and ability to connect with kids were true gifts that I feel lucky to have been touched by.
As a part of my family for more than eight years, I spent a lot of time with Dee.  Dee and I played hide and go seek with my brother Alex, unmercifully ganging up on him.  I’d hide in my parents’ bathroom, and Dee would create a distraction (usually involving silly yodels of some kind) enabling me to re-hide in the part of the room that he’d already searched, so I could stay hidden for longer.  One time, I pretended to be a lamp in the dark, and Dee couldn’t really see me, so she reached out saying “is that you” and shrieked when she touched me.  Dee would play games, and taught us each new ones.  She had the ability as an adult, to play.  
I met Hal and Daisie, and went on trips with Dee to visit her parents.  She would join my family occasionally for the holidays and we would sing together.  These were times of great fun and laughter. 
She would listen to my high school drama, and give me perspective. Her ability to imitate and poke fun would keep us all from being too serious.  Her love of golf, games, older movies and television, music and her character sketches of interactions were a delight to listen to.  She and I watched “Operation Petticoat” and “Father Goose” together among others, when I had time away from my schoolwork.  She knew old Arlington history and these reminisces taught me about my hometown.  My last visit with her was in February 2020. 
May the joyful, loving, and hilarious memories be the ones that all who knew Dee remember at this sad time.  Please let me know if there is anything being organized for Arlington, Virginia, and I'd be happy to assist. 
My deepest condolences, Kathryn (Kate) Oberg

My brother and I used to swim with Dee and her siblings and cousins when they visited their grandmother in Springfield, IL.  I reconnected with Dee a few years ago after trying to find out some information about her grandmother on the web. I sent her two of her grandfather's college yearbooks from the early 1900's. They were found in the attic by a later owner of the house and given to me because I had graduated from the same school.

My condolences go out to the rest of her family.

If one of them would contact me, I will give them another memento, a children's' book that the grandmother self-published. I recently found it with items from my mother.


Dee was a special part of our family’s life over almost 30 years.  We first met her as a musician at our son Alex’s pre-school.  Once Alex was in kindergarten, we employed her to handle the after-school care for him and his older sister Kate.  Over some six years, she handled transport to and from various playdates, activities, and lessons, made sure they did their homework, and played with them.   She and the kids most enjoyed together was hide-and-seek in the house with all the shades drawn.  She lovingly teased both kids-- Kate when she was buried in a day-dream, and Alex when he was taking himself too seriously.  She shared parts of her life with the kids, introducing them to her dog Daisy, her husband Hal, and even her parents.  She taught them good values, especially kindness, a sense of humor, and self-confidence.  

We could count on her.  Jessica recalls that on her frequent travels overseas for work she would leave a detailed calendar.  Dee was particularly conscientious about making sure all items were addressed. 

An especially fun memory from those pre-Google maps days is of local errands when Alex, even at 5 years of age, insisting on a specific route, and getting mad when she didn’t follow his directions.  By all accounts, she took it in good humor.  (By the way, Alex is now a geographic information specialist.)
In later years, she still joined us for special occasions, especially at Christmas when she always brought her guitar so we could sing Christmas carols. 

Even after moving to Arizona, we kept in touch.  Dee hosted Kate once in Arizona and whenever Dee visited Arlington we would enjoy a meal out together.  Dee shared with us her new-found joy in photography and creating greeting cards.  We shared holiday gifts and cards.  When we saw her in February 2020, we knew that that was likely for the last time, and Kate then kept in touch by phone.  We will always treasure the valuable contributions she made to our family’s life.  


I met Dee when she was still in college and worked  part time for Arlington Recreation. She was a  wonderful  preschool teacher as well as guitar instructor. She entertained  us all with her sense of humor and delight in her students and anyone she was around.  She and I worked together; played  good games of tennis;.  drank wine and just paled around together for many many years.  Gone too soon. 




Dee and her family were always kind and thoughtful. She was a talented singer and musician and also an excellent photographer. She will be deeply missed by her friends and family.

OBITUARIO

Dorothy Avery Rietveld

6 enero, 1949 – 4 junio, 2021

Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services – Melcher Roses

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